Pages

Friday, December 2, 2011

Poncho, You were a good and Noble boy!


(Pictures posted at random)

The day started out like any other normal day.
I got up, 
Fed Poncho and Libby.
Went to work.
I came home, 
Brushed and kissed all over Poncho.
(and Libby too)
Cleaned his feet, and took an extra minute
to kiss his soft muzzle and just
hold his head. 
He loved to rest his head on my shoulder.
Today it was extra heavy.

After I brushed them, 
went and fixed their mash.
It is a cup of wheat bran,
a scoop of Ani-gest
a scoop of crushed flax seed
Libby gets a scoop of pellets for
insulin resistance.
(Because there is a suspicion she is border line insulin resistant)

Today I thought I would throw in a small handful of oats.
Then I mix in about a tablespoon of Olive Oil
and since it was so cold today,
I used hot water to mix it all up into a runny paste.
(By the time I got it to the pasture it was cool)

I took it outside, and rang the cowbell.
Libby came GALLOPING to get her treat.
Poncho even trotted down to me.
Usually he just walks, taking his sweet time.
(Yes, I am teaching them to come on a cowbell!)



They both gobbled it down, and licked the spatula.
(that is always the best part)

At 2 PM I headed out to do an errand.
Poncho was laying in the pasture, soaking up the sun.
I watched him for about 5 minutes to make sure that was what he was doing.
He was.
I got home about 3:30 PM.
Grabbed a cup of coffee, and at about 
3:50 went out to feed.

Libby and Poncho were waiting for me by the gate as normal.
He is always the first one to whinny at me. 
Then Libby will chime in.
Poncho's whinny is like a girls whinny and I would tease him about sounding like a girl.
But he knew he was a manly horse, and that did not bother him.
Sometimes, I would walk a little slower,
just to hear him talk to me.
Libby's whinny is a deeper whinny.

As I go thru the gate, Poncho escorts me to the feed tub.
I toss in some hay.
He takes a quick glance, and 
IMMEDIATELY
drops to the ground and rolls.
and rolls!
and rolls!
and rolls!


He just would not stop!
SIRENS WENT OFF IN MY HEAD!

I race to the house and grabbed the phone.
I call a friend,
then I call the vet!

The vet can not get out of the office till 4:30 PM!!!

"J" and "L" show up!
(Thank you girls!)
("L" had Poncho before me, and I was so glad to see both of them)

We tried to get Poncho up numerous times, and succeeded on a few of the attempts.
The minutes ticked by ever so slowly!
I call hubby and had him meet the doc and follow him out, so that the doc did not have to play guessing games with which lane to turn on.
The minutes ticked on more.....
Poncho kept rolling.
He would get up, on occasion and then he would want to trot!!!!
(He was a trotter!)

About 10 minutes before the doc showed up,
I saw in Poncho's eyes, that it was not good.
But Doc gave him some pain meds first.
They had no effect on him.

It was quite odd because
thru the tears and the sobbing
I told Doc to help him cross over
to the rainbow bridge,
Poncho just laid there.
No rolling.
No Thrashing.
He was spent!
He knew!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poncho left us at 5:15 PM.
My heart was broken!

Poncho was such a good boy!
At one point,
When he was up and walking,
and "L" was leading him
I walked next to his butt with my hand on his hip......
When all of a sudden Poncho just drops and rolls.
He knew right where I was, because when he dropped,
he dropped AWAY from me!

He would go down so fast!

Poncho took care of his rider.
Poncho loved to go for rides!
He loved the kids even better,
because they liked to trot and that was Poncho's favorite thing to do!
Poncho loved hugs and kisses!
Poncho just loved to hang out with his people!
He was a people horse!
Poncho looked like a wooley bear with his winter coat on.
I would just run my hands through his coat.
He loved his rub downs and massages.
I don't think there was anything Poncho did not like.

He loved Libby.
I witnessed many times his guardianship for her.
When the neighbors dog would cut across our pasture,
I saw Poncho place himself between her and the dog.
He protected her.
He was the one to check everything out before he let Libby have it.
No Aggression. They just had an agreement.
He swatted the flies from her face in the summer.
He scratched her withers.
He stood next to her on cold nights.
And fanned her on hot days.

I got my equine soccer ball out a few weeks back, 
and Poncho was catching on rather quickly.
He really enjoyed it!
And the more I laughed and rubbed his neck for a job well done,
He would do it more and more.
The more I laughed the more he would kick that ball!
Poncho liked games.

Poncho liked to pick things up.
He used his teeth a lot.
I had him ever so close to handing me his treat pan.

Poncho may have been 20 years old,
BUT..... he could still learn new things!

During this whole episode with Poncho,
I had moved Libby to the adjoining pasture.
She was upset till I threw her hay over the fence.
She ate all her dinner,
grazed on some grass,
and totally ignored everything that was going on.

After Poncho was gone,
After "J" & "L" left.
After the Doc left.
After I closed the gate.
After we put a tarp over Poncho.
After I checked her water tub.

Poncho whispered good bye to her.......

Because in the dark she looks across the fence at Poncho,
lets out a very loud whinny,
and a huge snort....
Then..... runs hell bent for election all over the pasture!
It was almost as if she was yelling: "Don't GO!" "Don't leave me!"
She went wild!
I called "J" up and asked about letting her in with Poncho,
and she said to do so.
I knew Libby would need closure.

I did.
She pretended to not notice at first, and took her time making her way over to Poncho,
but after about 1/2 an hour,  I walk out to check on her.
She is standing guard by him.
It is now her turn to take care of Poncho,
if only for a little bit.

R.I.P Poncho
I loved you so much!
Thursday
12-1-2011
5:15 PM




20 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

Oh, I am so sorry. I am in tears. You did such a beautiful job of recording Poncho's last day. I am just so sorry.

Mikey said...

I am so sorry and in tears too. What a good boy, and I'm so sorry it's been such a sad day. Damn. Sending you a big hug.

50+ Horses said...

In tears - the words I'm so sorry don't seem enough, I wish I could reach out and give you a hug. We have a word around here for the special, the best of the best...those that stand out. That word is Noble. Poncho was Noble. Thank you for allowing us to meet, through you Post, such a Noble horse.

Karen V said...

I am so sorry. I know it is hard to let them go and how your heart breaks to make that decision but it eases their pain and sets them free. You will see him again. He will be waiting for you at the gates of Heaven, ready to take you a spin through green fields of heaven. Until then, he will live forever in your heart.

Rest now in peace, Sweet Noble Poncho

dizzijoi said...

I am so sorry :(. I too have tears in my eyes. It is never ever easy. I had my first foal put down last month through my choice. I brought her into this world 19 years ago and it was time for her to leave before another cold Wisconsin winter set in. So I know how hard it is even though it is the right decision.

dizzijoi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tammy Vasa said...

Crying for you, too. My heart breaks reading this. Having lost one of our best ones unexpectedly, I can so relate to the awful emptiness that you and Libby are feeling.

RIP Poncho. You are now running with some great ones.

Country Gal said...

I am so sorry for your loss ! I cryed when I read this post. He will always be in your hearts and your memories ! RIP Poncho you are now an angel spirit watching over Libby and your family !

Cheryl Ann said...

I am so, so sorry that you lost Poncho, but at least you were there for him on his last day. I lost Beauty in 2009 and I still miss her and I miss her nicker. She was "my" special horse. (((BIG HUG))))

Wolfie said...

I came over from 50+ Horses. I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts are with you,

whirlwinddals said...

I am so sorry.

Nikker said...

Add me to those shedding a tear, I am so sorry for your loss.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful friend, gone too soon. My heart mourns beside you.

His last day was a good one, what a fortunate soul.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

My heart is breaking for you. I know how special Poncho was to you.
I'm so sorry for your loss.

(((hugs)))
~Lisa

Reddunappy said...

So sorry. Its so hard to lose them.

DKG aka Scrappy Doo said...

My heart breaks for you and Libby.

Once Upon an Equine said...

I heard about Poncho on 50+ Horses. I'm sorry for your loss and for Libby's loss. Poncho sounds like he was a very special horse.

Laura Crum said...

Many thoughts of love to you. I have been there. Its so hard. Love to you and Poncho.

Dani said...

Jody you are an angel here on earth for these animals. Poncho knew he hada wonderful home when he was with you and Libby. May god bless you during this hard time. Poncho is now your Horse angel in heaven. Love you and sending youa big hug

Anonymous said...

I am so very, very sorry for your loss.